Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, representing Bayelsa West, has raised alarm over the growing menace of vote buying and electoral manipulation in Nigeria, describing them as serious threats to the country's democratic process.
The former Bayelsa governor, in a statement released on Saturday, emphasized that these electoral malpractices have resulted in the emergence of leaders who lack the capacity to deliver good governance.
"It's a dangerous development that leads to the emergence of unqualified leaders who have nothing to offer the country," Dickson stated, highlighting the urgent need for stakeholders to take collective responsibility in addressing these issues.
The senator pointed out that wealthy and influential politicians often exploit poverty and illiteracy to manipulate voters through cash and material inducements. This practice, he noted, effectively disenfranchises citizens and undermines the integrity of Nigeria's democratic institutions.
Dickson also condemned what he termed the "abuse of state institutions" during elections, including the preparation of fraudulent results before votes are even cast. He emphasized that electoral authorities must strengthen safeguards at polling units rather than leaving the burden of justice to the courts.
"In many cases, genuine cases of electoral fraud are thrown out on technical grounds," he lamented, adding that this practice only emboldens perpetrators who know they can manipulate the process with impunity.
The lawmaker expressed concern that some individuals who could not win elections in their own communities now claim victory through fraudulent means, leveraging state machinery and political influence to achieve their aims.
As a member of the Senate, Dickson revealed he is participating in ongoing efforts to introduce stronger legislation to address these electoral anomalies. However, he acknowledged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) alone cannot control the conduct of security personnel and other government agents involved in elections.
The senator also observed that the desperation to win elections at all costs has driven many politicians to defect to ruling parties, not for ideological reasons or public service, but to secure personal advantages and exploit state power during elections.
Political analysts have noted that Dickson's comments come at a critical time as Nigeria continues to grapple with challenges in its electoral system, with recent elections marred by allegations of vote buying, violence, and result manipulation.
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